Zero field splitting parameter of Mn2+ doped guanidine zinc sulphate crystal -a theoretical study

A theoretical investigation of crystal field parameters (CFP) and zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D of Mn2+ doped guanidine zinc sulphate (GZS) crystals at room temperature (RT) is done with the help of superposition model and the perturbation theory. The ZFS parameter D determined here is in good agreement with the experimental value reported earlier. The conclusion of experimental study that Mn2+ substitutes for Zn2+ in GZS is supported by our theoretical investigation. The values of D without and with local distortion are 11174.3×10-4 cm-1 and 702.4 ×10-4 cm-1, respectively, while the experimental value is 702.0×10-4 cm-1

Overexpression of Prothymosin Alpha Predicts Poor Disease Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer

In our recent study, tissue proteomic analysis of oral pre-malignant lesions (OPLs) and normal oral mucosa led to the identification of a panel of biomarkers, including prothymosin alpha (PTMA), to distinguish OPLs from histologically normal oral tissues. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of PTMA overexpression in oral squamous cell hyperplasia, dysplasia and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Immunohistochemistry of PTMA protein was performed in HNSCCs (n = 100), squamous cell hyperplasia (n = 116), dysplasia (n = 50) and histologically normal oral tissues (n = 100). Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the association of PTMA overexpression with clinicopathological parameters and disease prognosis over 7 years for HNSCC patients.<0.001). Chi-square analysis showed significant association of nuclear PTMA with advanced tumor stages (III+IV). Kaplan Meier survival analysis indicated reduced disease free survival (DFS) in HNSCC patients (p<0.001; median survival 11 months). Notably, Cox-multivariate analysis revealed nuclear PTMA as an independent predictor of poor prognosis of HNSCC patients (p<0.001, Hazard's ratio, HR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.3–11.8) in comparison with the histological grade, T-stage, nodal status and tumor stage.Nuclear PTMA may serve as prognostic marker in HNSCC to determine the subset of patients that are likely to show recurrence of the disease

Rayleigh Lidar observed atmospheric temperature characteristics over a western Indian location: intercomparison with satellite observations and models

General characteristics of sub-tropical middle atmospheric temperature structure over a high altitude station, Mt. Abu (24.5°N, 72.7°E, altitude ~1670 m, above mean sea level (amsl)) are presented using about 150 nights observational datasets of Rayleigh Lidar. The monthly mean temperature contour plot shows two distinct maxima in the stratopause region (~45–55 km), occurring during February-March and September-October, a seasonal dependence similar to that reported for mid- and high-latitudes respectively. Semi-Annual Oscillation (SAO) are stronger at an altitude ~60 km in the mesospheric temperature in comparison to stratospheric region. A comparison with the satellite (Halogen Occultation Experiment, (HALOE)) data shows qualitative agreement, but quantitatively a significant difference is found between the observation and satellite. The derived temperatures from Lidar observations are warmer ~2–3 K in the stratospheric region and ~5–10 K in the mesospheric region than temperatures observed from the satellite. A comparison with the models, COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere (CIRA)-86 and Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Extended (MSISE)-90, showed differences of ~3 K in the stratosphere and ~5–10 K in the mesosphere, with deviations somewhat larger for CIRA-86. In most of the months and in all altitude regions model temperatures were lower than the Lidar observed temperature except in the altitude range of 40–50 km. MSISE-90 Model temperature overestimates as compared to Lidar temperature during December-February in the altitude region of 50–60 km. In the altitude region of 55–70 km both models deviate significantly, with differences exceeding 10–12 K, particularly during equinoctial periods. An average heating rate of ~2.5 K/month during equinoxes and cooling rate of ~4 K/month during November-December are found in altitude region of 50–70 km, relatively less heating and cooling rates are found in the altitude range of 30–50 km. The stratospheric temperature derived from the Lidar and columnar ozone observed by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) over Mt. Abu shows good correlation (r2 = 0.61) and indicates the association of ozone with the temperature